Check out the Twitter Chatter Generated by the May 17 #SocEntChat on Powering Economic Opportunity

Anyone who was not able to participate in the “Powering Economic Opportunity” #SocEntChat on Tuesday, May 17th, missed out on one of the most successful chats to date. It was lively and informative, with lots of interaction between the chatters in three different languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). There were more than 400 total tweets from about 50 participants, promoters, and listeners.

But we’re not going to leave you out in the cold. Here is a quick recap…
   
The questions

Q1: What is the job creation challenge? Why does it matter? #SocEntChat #EconOpp

Q2: What are the barriers in your country that limit access to sustainable employment opportunities? #SocEntChat #EconOpp

Q3: How are you overcoming them? Or what can social entrepreneurs do to help eliminate these barriers? #SocEntChat #EconOpp

Q4: What are some effective market-based solutions happening around the world? What aspects can we learn from? #SocEntChat #EconOpp

Q5: Why do some initiatives aimed at creating economic opportunity fail? What did they do wrong? What can we learn? #socentchat #Econopp

Q6: What new or untapped markets can we create/develop to support the influx of more young people into the economy? #SocEntChat #EconOpp


Highlights and takeaways
 
In response to the first question, chatters mentioned the pressing need to create meaningful, lasting employment opportunities. Top tweets came courtesy of @GoodWeave, @stacymccoy, @hadjibeyeand, @titaleslie, and @sunnyfinden:

@GoodWeave: At GoodWeave, we think about not just job creation, but creating jobs that are worth having. #socentchat

@stacymccoy: In my opinion, creating jobs at local enterprises is so important because it helps fuel economic development #socentchat

@hadjibeye: Social Enterprise 101: Listen to the consumer then incorporate their voice in Action Plan #SocEntChat
 
@titaleslie: At @dynastypulsewe believe in creating a Local solution to a Local problem vs exporting a western solution for local problem #SocEntChat

@sunnyfinden: @titaleslie yes! definitely what is needed-A culturally sound approach to local job creation. Local solutions to local problems #socentchat

Some of the major barriers to economic opportunity that #SocEntChat participants mentioned were:

• Lack of youth involvement
• Lack of capital
• Lack of skills development
• Lack of government support for entrepreneurial activity
• Unsupportive public policy
• Low education and literacy levels
• Corruption
• Lack of access to markets
• Poor health, due to the lack of potable water

It seems that the best way to unleash economic opportunity is to attack the root of the problem, as Solar Sister’s Katherine Lucey wisely pointed out – and so eloquently tweeted:

@Solar_Sister: removing barriers is even more important than providing opportunity. #socentchat

Question 4 asked the community to identify effective market-based solutions. The most popular solutions came from the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Access to online and mobile markets was one of the major talking points, which also helped to guide the conversation about which markets social entrepreneurs should be developing to support the influx of more young people into the economy.

Youth were once again recognized as tomorrow’s leaders who will continue to innovative to create markets that blend profitable business with social values, particularly in the digital realm.

Be sure to enter or nominate a solution in the Powering Economic Opportunity: Create a World that Works competition. There is a quarter of a million dollars up for grabs, and the June 15 entry deadline is quickly approaching! 

Also, consider becoming a ChangeSpotter to help Changemakers® identify your favorite people and organizations generating employment for disadvantaged populations.

★★★

[Click here to download the May 17th #SocEntChat Transcript]